How to write a killer cover letter for a content writer role

I had my first experience of hiring candidates about a year ago and have run recruitment days for Adfero almost every month since then. While this doesn't qualify me as an HR expert, it does mean that I've seen the CVs and cover letters of hundreds of hopeful copywriters, journalists and creative writers all eager to join our company.

Having started with Adfero a little less than four years ago, my memory of the job hunt is still fairly fresh and I remember how much hard work it can be researching roles and preparing your CV accordingly.

And while graduates spend hours reading sites on how to set out your CV, conduct yourself in an interview, choose the right tie and outwit psychometric testing, it seems that tips on crafting a good cover letter are overlooked. 

Of course, assessing an application is a subjective process, but here are a few rules I think you should stick to when producing a cover letter for a content writer role. 

1. Keep it clipped

I don't skim over candidates' applications, but as someone who reads vast amounts of copy every day a simple, succinct cover letter tells me you can write concisely and appreciate deadlines. Providing a bitesize intro like this means I'm much more likely to try digesting your CV for afters. An exact word count? I'd say keep it under 200 words and then let your CV say the rest.

2. Write for the role

As a writer, a cover letter presents you with the chance to impress on two fronts in one go: experience and ability. Don't waste this chance to show that you've had great training and know how to use it.

For example, if you were a contributor to the university newspaper then show why they used your copy ahead of others'.

Don't write: Submitted regular concert reviews and band interviews for the bi-monthly music and culture section of the university's newspaper, which had a circulation of 5,000.

Do write: Arranged exclusive interviews with emerging bands for the hugely popular university paper.

3. Don't dare to dream

For me a good cover letter is profoundly succinct without being pretentious or pleading. I am genuinely intrigued by people's writing experience and love a good story, but please don't feel compelled to tell me the one about how during a long summer holiday as a child you spent hours in your grandmother's attic with a typewriter dreaming up short stories and imaginary tales that would then inspire you to become a writer and eventually submit your CV on jobsforjournos.com. It's a real turn off.  

Your cover letter tells me why you applied; your CV convinces me you deserve to be considered for an interview.

4. I'm just not your typo

Failing to sub your own work immediately says to me that you don't care about the job and if you've declared yourself a 'stickler for detail', 'grammar Nazi' or 'subbing guru' in your cover letter, it also tells me you don't get irony.

And while we're at it, do your best to avoid the clichés like those in the previous paragraph. You're applying for a writer's job. Please turn up with some fresh copy.

No two people will look at a CV or cover letter in the same way, but grabbing attention right from the start should always be your aim as a writer, so make a start now.

But if you think I'm ruining perfectly employable people's chances of a job with this advice, I'd be interested to know your thoughts on what makes a good cover letter. And if you are interested in working with us, why not get an insider's view of what it's like working at Adfero?

Ross McTaggart

Assistant Head of News Feeds